I saw this 56 444 in Hemmings recently.
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/volvo/444/1368454.html&refer=news
Were those upper tail lights standard? They look like a later add on possibly to make the brake lights better seen.

I had a 56 for a while that was pretty stock, the rear upper sidelights were tail/brake lights, the B pillar lights were turn signals, and there was a small round center brake light in the rear bumper overrider- all very elegant and visible at night

This looks fine except rear fenders are from a 1957-58 while the upper taillights are correct for a 1955 and 1956.... top ones are right. perhaps fenders were changed. Perhaps the turn signals are the lower ones. Proper turn signals are in the middle of the car very high on the post (fixlite)

I looked up 1956 Volvos on the net and son-of-a-gun, they didn't have those lower tail lights as you said. I didn't realize this before. Thanks for pointing that out. I do like the upper lights myself. I like the chrome housings up on the side like that and the general shape of the lights.

Hello Ken,
It's me, Jim in NJ.
Yes, I do believe those lights are standard - probably turn signals IMHO.
Check this '58 on eBay now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PV-444-California-Original-1958-Volvo-444-100-Rust-Free-Classic-Volvo-Coupe-/180820815990?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a19c2b076

I like those signal lights. I guess when they got to my year, they incorporated it all into one light with multi-filament bulbs.